A suspicious package found last week on a bus carrying Israeli tourists from
Turkey to Bulgaria was the cause for Israel’s request to boost security over its
citizens traveling in the country, according to reports in the Bulgarian
press.
The Sofia News Agency Novinite quoted Dan Shenar, head of security
at the Israeli Transportation Ministry, who confirmed he had requested the
increased security. Bulgarian authorities have launched an investigation to
determine what was inside the package and who placed it on the bus.
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“Two
days ago I got in touch with my colleagues in Sofia and asked them to tighten
security measures around buses carrying groups of Israeli tourists between
airports and hotels or vacation houses. We are well aware that buses are a weak
spot in regards to security,” Shenar was quoted as saying.
“This is so
because there are excellent security conditions at airports, but the situation
is not the same outside them. This is why we made these calls. As far as I
understand, local services are collaborating with us.”
According to
another report, the Bulgarian police has increased its presence at the country’s
top winter resort called Bansko. Currently 50 policemen are patrolling the
resort and another 80 are expected there by the end of the month, according to
the report. The resort is frequented by Israelis.
Israel is concerned
Hezbollah will try to attack Israelis overseas in the coming weeks and ahead of
the fourth anniversary of the assassination of Hezbollah military commander Imad
Mughniyeh, attributed to the Mossad.
Hezbollah is believed to be actively
seeking revenge for the assassination, and over the years there have been
reports of a number of plots that were thwarted including an attempt to bomb the
Israeli embassy in Azerbaijan.
Israel recently asked Bulgaria, for
example, to increase its security over Israeli tour groups in the capital city
of Sofia. According to Sofia News Agency, a Hezbollah plot was recently
uncovered by local security agencies, which warned Israel.
According to reports, Israel has asked Greek authorities to increase security for Israeli tourists in the country.
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